Brooks may have talked himself out of starting

Brooks showed up in the locker room Monday, the team’s day off, to get whirlpool treatment for his aching muscles and to unleash a 2-12 season’s worth of frustration.

Signed in the off-season to a two-year contract, Brooks doesn’t know whether the Raiders will pick up his $5 million option for next year. From the sounds of it, Brooks will be just fine walking away.

“What’s really going on?” Brooks said. “You see issues across the board, as far as offensively is concerned, that make you think like, ‘What the f— have I got into?’ It’s been tough, man. A lot of time I’ve been biting that fist of mine. F— it, I gotta do it, good or bad.”

He saved the nasty stuff for wide receivers Jerry Porter and Randy Moss, saying he’s talked to them about their complaining ways to no use. He gave a brutally honest assessment of the offensive line’s protection problems and the three-step pocket that collapses quicker than he can release the ball.

After Brooks was done venting, Raiders coach Art Shell said he will start Saturday’s home finale against the Kansas City Chiefs. We’ll see how Shell feels about that decision when he sees Tuesday’s paper.

The last time a quarterback went public with his complaints, Andrew Walter was benched the following game and Brooks was reinserted to the lineup after missing seven games with a strained chest muscle.

Shell yanked Brooks after three quarters during Sunday’s 20-0 loss to the St. Louis Rams.

“Two games left, who knows what they’re thinking?” Brooks said. “Are they thinking about the future or are they thinking about getting other guys some reps? So, I try not to play the mind-reading games because they can take it in so many different directions.”

Other notes on a Monday off for players:

Wide receiver Alvis Whitted is done for the season with a wrist injury, while Randy Moss (ankle) is questionable for the second straight week.

Right guard Kevin Boothe (elbow) is questionable, which could allow veteran Barry Sims to return to the starting lineup. Left tackle Robert Gallery (elbow) is expected to start for the first time in a month.

The Pro Bowl team will be announced today. Defensive tackle Warren Sapp and punter Shane Lechler got a jump by leading their respective positions in fan voting. Cornerback Nnamdi Asomugha and defensive end Derrick Burgess could make it based on player and coaches votes.